WESTPORT — An arrest was quickly made in an alleged attempted robbery of a couple Sunday morning on the Post Road bridge downtown, according to police.

At approximately 11 a.m. a husband and wife, who were crossing the Ruth Cohen Steinkraus Bridge, were quickly approached and overtaken from behind by a man who demanded they bring him to their car.

He then allegedly brandished a knife and repeated the demand, threatening the woman, who reportedly darted across the Post Road in between cars in an effort to escape.

Her husband followed, at which time the suspect fled the area, walking eastbound toward Jesup Road.

After contacting police by phone, the husband also managed to flag down a patrol car that was passing.

“The victims were able to provide a detailed description of the suspect, which was relayed to all of the responding officers,” police reported. “Patrol units begin to saturate the area from all directions.”

A member of the Westport Fire Department reached out to say he had seen someone fitting that description in the area of 302 Post Road East, the Westport Center Services gas station adjacent to Saugatuck Congregational Church.

Police responded immediately and located the individual. He was identified as James C. Cummings, age 41, of Bridgeport, and police said a knife was located on his person.

The couple later identified him as the alleged assailant.

Cummings was arrested and charged with Attempt to Commit Robbery in the 1st Degree, Threatening in the 2nd Degree, Attempt at Larceny in the 3rd Degree, and Carrying a Dangerous Weapon.

He was held in lieu of a $250,000 bond, but at the time of this arrest Cummings was already out on a bond following an arrest on Sept. 5, 2021, where he was charged with Threatening in the 2nd Degree, Reckless Endangerment in the 2nd Degree, Attempt to Commit Assault in the 3rd Degree, and two counts of Sexual Assault in the 4th Degree.

“I am extremely proud of all the officers who assisted in this incident,” Police Chief Foti Koskinas said later. “The high level of skill and teamwork they exhibited led to the quick apprehension of the suspect.”

“Additionally,” he said, “I would like to extend my gratitude to the Westport Fire Department for their assistance.”